My Ultimate Skin-Hydrating Routine For Ramadan
Ramadan is one of my favorite times of the year! Although fasting can be challenging, the whole month is just like the ultimate cleanse – on a mental, spiritual, and a physical level. By the end of Ramadan, I feel healthier, better, and lighter in every single way. Honestly, I love Ramadan so much I sometimes wish it was twice a year, especially since it brings family and everyone dear to you close.
When it comes to my beauty routine during Ramadan, I focus on hydrating my skin and body – it’s my number one goal. When your skin is dehydrated, fine lines and dark under-eye circles are more prominent, and your natural glow is just a little bit lacking. In fact, in a study by Wakefield Research, consumers ranked ‘hydrated skin’ as the number one trait of skin health by 47% (followed by ‘even tone’ at 16%)!
But here’s the thing, during Ramadan hydration is a big problem as you’re just not able to drink as much water through the day as usual – you should be aiming for at least two liters of water a day. However, intermittent fasting has been proven to have a ton of health benefits, which makes Ramadan a good time for your body to detox (and a spiritual detox if you’re Muslim). So, I try to use the evenings to really indulge in my skincare routine and add back that hydration that has been lacking from fasting or hot days in the sun. Here’s what I’m going to be doing to keep my skin extra hydrated during Ramadan.
View this post on Instagram
For my Body:
Step 1: Dry Brush Every Evening
As your skin can get a little drier, this is a great way to buff away dead skin cells while you also speed up lymphatic drainage – the system that drains toxins from the body. I always do it just before I have a bath or shower and it’s super invigorating. Find out more about why I’m obsessed with dry brushing here.
Step 2: Epsom Salt Bath or Bath Oils
Not only is a long bath seriously relaxing and indulgent (literally, I am obsessed), but Epsom salts are also a great way to relax, distress, and ease any aches. I also love to add a spoon of coconut oil to my bath to hydrate and nourish my skin. If I’m feeling extra indulgent, I add clay and coconut milk powder too, check it out:
View this post on Instagram
Usually, I love to spend a long time in the bath, but it’s worth noting that if you spend longer than 20 minutes, it can actually dehydrate you, so during Ramadan try to keep them short and drink lots during and after your bath in the evenings. Check out how to have the best bath here.
Step 3: Hydrate with Body Oils
After stepping out of your shower or bath, to keep moisture locked in, smother yourself in your fave body oil while your skin is still damp. I love Bio-Oil, $11, which helps to smooth out skin tone and hydrate deeply.
Remember to drink plenty of water when you break your fast and throughout the evening as well, to rehydrate your body and keep it as hydrated as possible for the following day.
For my Face:
To ensure your skin gets the replenishment it needs at night, layer hydrating products and squeeze in a super hydrating sheet mask like our WISHFUL Thirst Trap Cocoon Mask, $9, whenever you have time. You don’t have to do all of these steps (do what suits you), but if you have time, I highly recommend packing in as many as you can!
Step 1: Cleanse
Source: WISHFUL, Sweet Chef
No skincare routine can begin without a clean canvas. In the evenings, I start with an oil-based cleanser to melt away SPF, makeup, and pollution. I always begin with our WISHFUL Clean Genie, $35, but I also love to DIY my own cleansing oil with sweet almond oil and coconut oil sometimes. This Oat Milk Latte Cleanser, $13, from Sweet Chef Skincare (made by the same founders who created Glow Recipe) is a super gentle and hydrating formula that won’t strip your skin or make it feel tight. It feels super hydrating thanks to its blend of oat milk, oat kernel, vitamin b12, and hyaluronic acid, and is also perfect for a quick morning cleanse.
Posts You'll Love:
Step 2: Tone
Toning is a great way to reset and balance your skin. Toners can even help to improve skin texture and tone, especially if you use one formulated with AHAs like hydrating lactic acid, pore-refining willow bark extract, or AHAs.
Source: Pixi, The Healing Apothecary, Banilla and Co
If my skin is a little dull, I’ll grab the Pixi Glow Tonic, $13, which is formulated with 5% glycolic acid, aloe vera, and ginseng to exfoliate, brighten, and smooth the skin. However, most of the time, I’ll opt for a rosewater toner like BLK + GRN Rose Water Hydrating Toner, $18, as it’s hydrating and gentle. Another great option is the moisture-charged Banila and Co Dear Hydration Toner, $30, which is enriched with fermented lotus water, peppermint extracts to purify, and bamboo to provide intense hydration.
Pro Step: Mist For Extra Hydration
If you’ve ever watched the queens of hydration, AKA Korean beauty experts Christine Chang and Sarah Lee, do their skincare routine, you’ll notice they mist their faces in between ERRRRY step! Seriously though, it works – you only have to look at their skin to know.
Source: Glow Recipe, Biossance, Keys Soulcare
Try the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra-Fine Mist, $29, which smells incredible and is really soothing and nourishing. The Biossance Squalane + Hyaluronic Toning Mist, $32, helps to plump fine lines (ideal when your skin is dehydrated) and hydrates with two types of hyaluronic acid (it’s alcohol-free too).
Another new fave is the Keys Soulcare Reviving Aura Mist, $25, which is perfect for Ramadan as the energizing rose-scented skin mist hydrates, tones, and revives your skin.
Alcohol-free DIY: Combine 100ml of rose water and 1 tbsp of glycerin in a spray bottle – et voila, the perfect DIY hydrating mist.
Step 3: Add Essence
Source: Shani Darden, Peach & Lily, 111Skin
It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with essences, and adding one to your routine is a major game-changer as it helps to boost skin hydration levels and allow the following steps to sink in more deeply. My fave essences are the Shani Darden Skin Care Saki Toning Essence, $52, and the 111Skin Antioxidant Energizing Essence, $105. Another amazing, more affordable option is the Peach & Lily Wild Dew Treatment Essence (alcohol-free), $39, which is packed with antioxidant-rich lotus extract, brightening niacinamide, and lots of other skin-hydrating ingredients – it makes your skin feel SO soft and smooth. Follow with a mist before your next step!
Additional Step: Mask
Masks are a great way to give the skin an instant hit of hydration, so try and pack one in as often as possible! I like to do mine after toner and essence, and before my serums. Don’t forget to pat in any excess mask serum before you apply your next steps.
Source: Tony Moly, WISHFUL
I love the Tony Moly Intense Care Snail Hydrogel Mask, $8, and of course, our WISHFUL Thirst Trap Cocoon Mask, $9, which feels like you’re flooding your skin with intense hydration and leaving even the most parched skin extra plump and glowy. If my under eyes are tired or inflamed, which is often the case during Ramadan, I use the WISHFUL Eye Lift & Contour Eye Masks, $5, to brighten, depuff and lift.
Step 4: Use a Hydrating Serum
Serums have targeted ingredients that can penetrate deep into the dermal layer giving you a major boost – it’s not a step to miss!
Source: WISHFUL, Glow Recipe, Dr. Dennis Gross
My go-to is the WISHFUL Thirst Trap Juice HA3 Peptide Serum, $47, as it contains three types of hyaluronic acid, as well as strengthening peptides, soothing aloe vera, and pore-tightening niacinamide. Recently I’ve also fallen in love with the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops, $35, as it leaves your skin with such a stunning, dewy glow.
If your skin is acting out, check out the Dr. Dennis Gross Stress Rescue Super Serum with Niacinamide, $74, as it’s powered by niacinamide (B3), superfoods, and adaptogens to combat the five signs of stress-induced aging.
Check out more of my fave serums here.
Step 5: Moisturize (lots!)
A good moisturizer is the essential final step in a hydrating skincare regime. Not only will it add more hydration, but it will add more nutrients to the skin (you can never have too many nutrients, right?) all while locking in all that moisture. Some options I love are:
Source: WISHFUL, Tatcha
WISHFUL Honey Balm Jelly Moisturizer, $49: Our uniquely textured, jelly-meets-balm moisturizer is infused with honey to lock in moisture, turmeric root extract to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and niacinamide to brighten and visibly reduce the appearance of pores. Thanks to the rich balm texture, this is incredible for nighttime or naps when your skin is parched and needs as much moisture as it can get!
Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream, $70: This cult-fave boasts antioxidant-rich Japanese purple rice that plumps the skin and adds a youthful glow. It’s so lightweight and sinks in fast, so it’s ideal for daytime or if you have typically oily skin.
Source: Romer, Glow Recipe
Romer Moisturize, $25: Formulated with shea butter, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, rosemary leaf oil, and hyaluronic acid, this will lock in moisture while strengthening the skin’s natural defense against pollution.
Glow Recipe Banana Souffle Moisture Cream, $45: As soon as you try this moisturizer, you’ll be addicted. The lightweight cream is ideal for oily skin as it’s hydrating yet ultra-lightweight and non-comedogenic, so it won’t block your pores. It’s packed with hydrating magnesium, calming cica, and skin-balancing turmeric.
Step 6: Use a Face Oil
Source: The Ordinary, Izil
If you wanna go that extra step, a good facial oil is the cherry on top of your hydrating cake. Using the right facial oil will not only repair and protect the skin’s barrier, but it’ll also nourish and plump like no other product on your shelf.
WISHFUL Get Ever Rose Oil, $63: Our WISHFUL rose oil is literally my holy-grail oil. The unique blend of 15 rich oils will plump, hydrate, brighten, and restore your skin like no other. I actually call it my magic oil, it’s that good!
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, $11: This oil works to heal and hydrate while reducing signs of aging.
IZIL 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil, $94: Packed with vitamin E and K and bursting with fatty acids and omegas, this oil will work overtime to increase collagen production for more radiant, supple skin.
Top tip: When you’re applying a facial oil, gently massage and pat the oil into your skin. I also like to do a little lymphatic drainage, which also helps to lift and contour your face.
What are your tips for staying hydrated during Ramadan and the summer months? Let us know in the comments below.
Leave a comment